Is it just an exchange for traffic? I run a website that I'm perfectly happy for a single user to not land on themselves with a browser on their device, if they are provided the information that I'm providing or purchase a service through the AI product it doesn't make a difference to me.

Some websites can run only on ads. Is it such a bad thing that they would die off?

I say this as someone that likes the old web and has fun hitting the "surprise me" button on https://wiby.me/ (not affiliated) and browsing the random sites. Just giving an alternative view.